Naples Safari Animal Hospital & Pet Resort / Westcoast Veterinary Hospital
Client Information Sheet
Thunderstorm Anxiety Disorder
Thunderstorm anxiety is a common behavioral disorder of dogs and can become a serious problem, especially
during the summer in Southwest Florida. There are some things that we can do to help relieve the fear during
storms and sometimes eliminate the anxiety all together.
We use multiple approaches to achieve the best results addressing the phobia associated with thunderstorms:
1. Desensitization - involves getting your pet used to thunderstorm associated noise.
2. Comfort- provide a “safe place” during thunderstorms
3. Distraction - provide positive rewards in association with thunderstorms.
4. Elimination of anxiety reinforcing behaviors.
5. Pharmacology - anti anxiety medications daily or when needed.
The best time to begin addressing the problem is before thunderstorm season arrives.
Desensitization should begin before thunderstorm season. There are many CDs available at local music stores
and on line under the New Age section that incorporate thunderstorm noises either with or without soothing
music. Begin by playing the music at low volume. Gradually increase the levels as your pet gets used to the
sound. Associate a pleasant activity like play, feeding, brushing, or special treats during these times. It is also
useful to play the music in the evening or at night since many storms and fears occur when it is dark.
Comfort/Distraction Many pets will seek a safe place when thunderstorms occur. If your pet has not chosen a
spot, select a bathroom or closet with as few windows as possible and have it set up so your pet can get used
to it now. Place a crate or provide bedding for your pet. We recommend a small TV or radio be placed in the
area for additional noise & distraction during storms. Pets are sensitive to barometric changes so you will not
be able block out all thunderstorm associated stimuli, but you can minimize triggers. Encourage your pet to
use the area by providing a special treat or activity .There are many toys available to hide treats in and engage
your pet. Our favorites are Kong Toys. These can be filled with a commercial Kong Stuffing, biscuits, dog
friendly ice cream, ice cubes, peanut butter or a combination of the above. Placing the “stuffed “ toys in the
freezer may provide an additional challenge and distraction. Some dogs respond to the comforting gentle
pressure of a "Thundershirt" , a snug wrap around vest placed on the dog. DAP diffusers - a kind of “plug in “
that emits Dog Appeasing Pheromone may help. Some studies indicate that lavender aromatherapy may be
soothing. Collars impregnated with DAP are also available and last for up to 4 weeks.
Elimination of Anxiety Reinforcing Behaviors - Many times we unknowingly send the message to our pets that
the anxiety behavior is appropriate. During an anxiety episode it is natural to attempt to comfort the animal .
To prevent reinforcing the anxiety, it is important to ignore the behavior when it occurs. This may be hard to do
but provides an important cue that the event is not to be feared. Go about your business as usual and treat
your pet as if it were not having a problem. Speak to your dog in an upbeat, playful voice. Engage him or her
in play or lead your pet to the safe place and provide a treat but try not to “make a big deal “ of the event. Also
realize that dogs pick up on human cues easily, so if they see you tense they are likely to respond in kind.
Pharmacology - In many parts of the country and in mild cases, a medication like alprazolam used on an as
needed basis may be enough to manage thunderstorm phobic behaviors. The problem with this approach is
that if the pet is already anxious, it is much more difficult to achieve comfort with medication after the fact.
Because of cues like pressure, increased hearing abilities , etc., dogs often sense an approaching storm
before their owners. In our area, where storms can be an everyday event, seasonal daily medication is often a
good choice. Fluoxetine (Reconcile) can be given once a day , and if needed , alprazolam can be given in
addition if the pet becomes extremely agitated. The daily medication should ideally be started approximately 2
weeks before storm season starts. If long term therapy is recommended, a baseline blood panel may be
required.
With some effort on the part of the family - and a little help from medicine, summer in Florida may be a less
anxious time for both you and your pet.